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No. I suspect we would not have signed Velasco if Heath was back. It is not that Beachum cannot do the job but he is needed in other areas. In some ways, Beachum is one of the most important players on the team because he can play anywhere on the line. Beachum is needed at TE to block for the run game and to be available for any other in game injuries.

But players like Malecki and Whimper were kept to be Center Back-ups...why not this guy when he had the chance ? I hope he works out. But it's still stupidity on Tomlin's part.

The other thing about Velasco is that he's fully capable of being at full speed with you guys immediately. He was in the Titans camp for the entire period until final cuts 10 days ago. It's not like he's been sitting a year without a job.

Two points. I suspect Velasco wanted to and knew he should start. Why would he sign to be a backup?

Why should the Steelers give him starter money (which he would want) to backup?

It takes two to sign a player.

Sorry but, I don't buy it. This guy had zero leverage a week from the start of the season. All he could hope for is if a team suffered a Injury, like we did. But he still Isn't gonna get anymore money then Back-up money at this stage, so what difference does it make ? Whether Tennesse cut him for salary purposes or whatever, if he truly had GAME...he would have been signed by someone. There are plenty of teams with huge question marks on the OL. And if you're a Center, that means you can also start at Guard. They are basically the same position, except as a Center you snap the ball. So it's good we got someone, cause we needed it. But this guy is no long term answer either.

Okay but, if this guy was available back when....all I see is Tomlin confirming his own stupidity. I mean all he is saying is that he kept the wrong players. I mean we have back-ups already, even for Pouncey. But, after those back-ups play less then 1 game, Tomlin is admitting that they are no good, so he signs this guy ?...A guy who has been out there all this time ?

To me, this is just further proof of Tomlin's Incompetance.

the only thing you've confirmed is your own stupidity

Velasco is a starter
Wallace is a backup

you pay backups to perform a backup role (substitutions, short term fill ins)
you don't pay starter money for backups

now that they need a new STARTER, they have signed a starter caliber player